Marco Police Foundation Second Annual Pickleball Slammer

The Marco Island Police Foundation will host its second Pickleball Tournament at the Marco YMCA on Saturday, January 20th and Sunday, January 21st. Registration is open until January 14th at www.pickleballbrackets.com using the keywords “police foundation.”

Dubbed the Pickleball Slammer, last year’s event featured 160 participants who tested their skills in the categories of Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles through round-robin matches leading to single elimination.

This year’s 2024 event is expected to be bigger and better with over 200 players, featuring the same round-robin and single-elimination format for Men’s, Women’s and Mixed Doubles Flights based on player skill levels.

Pickleball growth continues to be astronomical throughout the nation with Collier County becoming a hotbed for play, including the county’s recent commitment to host the annual U.S. Open Pickleball Championships through 2029.

“Pickleball can be played by people of all ages and Collier County is home to great players and great tournaments,” said Marco Police Foundation President Michael Hook. “We are proud that our own Marco Police Foundation Pickleball Slammer is part of this exciting sport.”

This year’s Slammer has already lined up many local sponsors including local pickleball retail store Marco Active as the overall event sponsor, as well as Earthwerks as the event’s tee shirt and general sponsor.

Court sponsors include Realtor Pat Wilkins, the Raymond James local office of Guerin and English, J.P. Morgan Private Bank, Thomas Allen Wine Estates, Affordable Landscaping, Yevette Benarroch for State Representative, the Marco Brewery and its sister restaurant the Speakeasy, Naples Community Hospital, Salty Dog, Hotwire Communications, GetCatFit, Wolfe Auto Auctions, Cocomo’s, Greg Folley for State Representative and Siegel Dental. Classic Transportation is the official tournament transportation provider.

“With great facilities for play around Marco Island, pickleball is becoming a key part of our paradise island lifestyle,” added Hook. “All of us at the police foundation are thrilled to be part of it as we look towards a successful 2024 tournament enabling us to provide college scholarships to the families of the people who protect us every day.”

All money raised by the tournament funds the police foundation’s scholarship program. Last year, the foundation provided almost $80,000 in college scholarships to Marco Island police officers and their families. This year’s scholarship grants will likely eclipse

$90,000.

For more information about play or sponsorship opportunities, Michael Hook can be contacted at mjrhook@comcast.net.